BA commissions ‘giant panda’ on Chengdu route

News at Heathrow 20/09/2013

British Airways new ‘giant panda’ plane has been dispatched on the carrier’s route between London and Chengdu in China.

British Airways new ‘giant panda’ plane has been dispatched on the carrier’s new route between London and Chengdu in China.

Taking off with a fresh look, the British Airways Boeing 777-200 has been repainted to reflect the giant panda’s iconic white and black pattern, complete with a smiling face over the plane’s cockpit area. It will depart Heathrow airport on 22 September; the new paint job commemorates the initial voyage on the new route to Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport, according to BA officials.

BA chief executive Keith Williams said in a statement that Chengdu is one of Asia’s most captivating destinations for leisure travellers, noting that it has become famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine and giant pandas. Williams went on to add that it has also become one of the region’s most important economic hubs and has seen unprecedented growth in recent years.

Those flying on the route can book seats in World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), World First and Club World (business) classes, according to an official press release.

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